Thin charge transfer



Dec. 28, 1943. H. E. CARLsoN THIN CHARGE TRANSFER Filed June '7, 1941 mm1 om? N 0 s L R Y A CL Y R E OE DN TNI. O EA T VM T mL A J HY B Patented Dec. 28, 1943 UNITED SATS THIN CHARGE TRANSFER Application June 7, 1941, Serial No. 397,013

(Cl. 13b-41) 8 Claims.

This invention relates to cigar machines, more particularly to the bunch charge transfers thereof. In prior charge transfers of the type shown in the co-pending application of S. Clausen, Serial No. 392,233, filed May 7, 1941, the charge transfer has a pocket provided with an open bottom into which a vertical column of tobacco is elevated and thereby compressed against a plunger within the pocket. Following the severance of the charge filling the pocket, the charge transfer is moved horizontally across a horizontal member underlying the bottom of the pocket to a position on the bunch rolling apron at which the plunger is actuated to eject the charge upon the apron. Due to the compressed condition of the charge in the pocket during this transferring operation there is a tendency for the transfer to slip over the charge, particularly with the very thin charges required for panatela type cigars.

One of the main objects of the invention is to relieve the pressure on the charge during this transferring operation, and to this end, mechanisrn may be provided for moving the plunger upwardly during transferring movement of the transfer. Thus the pressure of the charge against said horizontal surface will be reduced sufficiently to prevent slipping of the transfer over the charge.

A further object is to provide for adjustment of the capacity of the pocket in the transfer to admit charges of various sizes, thatis, charges suitable for perfecto, panatela or other shapes.

In the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this specification and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a cigar machine showing the improved charge transfer and the pressure releasing mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a detail view taken from line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. l, a stream of tobacco is advanced on to cutting platform It! by a horizontal endless belt and two vertical endless belts (not shown) which are driven and controlled in the same manner as disclosed in the co-pending application of H. H. Wheeler, Serial No. 304,299, filed November 14, 1939, which issued as Patent No. 2,311,011 on February 16, 1943. The platform l0, which is provided with longitudinal slots I2, is mounted on the head I4 of a plunger E6 supported in a slide I8. As shown in the aboveof the platform i, confine the tobacco layer thereon. The platform I0 is then raised, thus forcing a knife (not shown) fastened on the inner end of the platform against a corresponding knife (not shown) and thereby cutting the bunch length section advanced upon the platform from the remainder of the tobaccostream.

Above the platform in a position aligned with the walls 2i), as shown in Fig. 1, is located a charge transfer 22 having a pocket within which is located a plunger 24 having upstanding side flanges 26 arranged to engage the side walls 28 of the pocket at all times, thereby preventing tobacco from working up the sides of the plunger and jamming it. The side walls 28 are suspended from a cover S having an extension (not shown) at the forward end thereof to which is fastened a slide mot shown) engaging with a slot in a stationary horizontal guide rail 32, the slide being retained on the guide rail by a separate gib-rail 34. The

opposite `end of cover 3B supports a slide (not shown) engaging a stationary guide rail 3B behind the cover 3S, the rail 36 being a part of a bracket 32 which is located behind the charge transfer. The first mentioned slide is connected to an endless chain (not shown) running over suitable sprockets. One of these sprockets is mounted on a shaft (not shown) which carries a gear (not shown) meshing with a reciprocating rack (not shown). Since the cover 30 supports the slide members in the same manner as disclosed in the above mentioned application of H. H. Wheeler and said connection to the endless chain is of the same construction, these parts are omitted to more clearly illustrate the function of the new mechanism.

With the charge transfer 22 in charge-receiving position as shown in full lines (Fig. l), the platform ld is raised to its upper position, lifting the severed bunch length into the charge transfer pocket and against the plunger 24, and compressing the same therein. The plungerA 24 is attached to the lower end of a rod 4D sliding in a hub i2 of cover Sii, the upper end 44 of rod mentioned application of H. H. Wheeler, slide it n receives vertical reciprocatory motion from a suitable cam operated rod (not shown) of the machine. The tobacco stream is forwarded in each cycle on to the cutting platform l0 by increments corresponding to the desired bunch length. Side walls 20 extending at either side 4) being smaller in diameter and being guided in an open end slot 4S provided in an arm 48 of a bracket 5). On the rod 4E) there may be provided an integral head 52 having a transverse bore 1n which is supported a stud 54 (Fig. 2) carrying rollers 56 adapted to engage the cam pieces 53 which are secured to extensions 60 of a forked arm 52 mounted on a shaft t4 supported in bearings 66 of a bracket EB. Bracket 68 is secured to a supporting member l0 of the cigar machine. A compression spring i2 at the upper end of rod 44 is seated between the arm 48 and a cup 'I4 which may be fastened to the tip of said rod, said spring holding the rollers 55 against their cam pieces 58. Thus the plunger 24 is held in an upper position corresponding to the desired thickness of the charge. The position of the cams 58 can be adjusted by turning a screw '|6 carried by arm 62. Thus the point at which the upward movement of plunger 24 will be stopped can be varied to produce different thicknesses of charges to suit small or large cigar bunches. The screw 'i6 is kept from accidental turning by means of a spring wire 18 snapped into one of the grooves in its head. A torsion spring 80 is mounted in a recess 8| of a collar 82 fastened to one end of shaft 64 (Fig. 2), one end of said spring being fastened in the adjacent bearing and the other end being fastened in the collar and thereby urging the arm in a direction which will press screw 'I6 against a pad 88 of bracket 68 at all times and thereby hold the cams 5S in their proper position.

With the charge transfer pocket loaded, a horizontal oscillating knife blade t4 which may be supported and actuated in the same manner as described in the previously mentioned application of H. H. Wheeler, moves forward to sever the charge inserted in the pocket. Supporting fingers (not shown) move into slots i2 in the platform |0 which is now at raised position. The platform l0 then returns to its down position leaving the surplus portion of the elevated bunch length on the said fingers. When the platform again ascends with the next b-unch section, the fingers are withdrawn from the position in which they supported the surplus tobacco, thereby leaving this surplus tobacco on top of the newly cut section being elevated by the platform.

The measured charge lodged in the charge transfer 22 is then slid across the horizontal plate 86 to the dotted position shown in Fig. 1, adjacent the rolling table 83 of the machine, by the movement of an endless chain (not shown). When the charge transfer is thus advanced the rollers 58 ride off the horizontal surfaces 90 of the cam pieces 58, permitting the spring 12 to lift the plunger 24 while rollers 58 ride upwardly upon the beveled portion 02 of the cams until the hub 84 of the plunger abuts the base of hub 42. The lifting of plunger 24 releases the pressure on the charge, permitting the tobacco to swell or expand and thus reducing the friction of said charge upon plate 85 while sliding thereover. In this manner any tendency of the charge to slip when it is conveyed to the rolling apron is overcome. At the dotted position of the transfer the charge is deposited on the rolling apron 80 whichl has been raised to its upper position by the suction box or lifter platform 96. Since the construction of the apron androlling table is similar to that shown in the above mentioned application of H. H. Wheeler, further description thereof is deemed unnecessary except to note that one end of the apron is fastened to the remote end of the table and the other apron end is secured to the drum 98 which is suitably operated as shown in said application to slacken the apro-n suiciently to permit the formation of a loop therein during the` ejection of the bunch charge.

In order to prevent slipping of the apron on its supporting platform 96, to which it is suctionally held during the downward movement of the platform when the charge is ejected thereon by the plunger 24, an apron pocket former |00 having a construction similar to that shown in the copending application of S. Clausen, Serial No. 392,233, led May 7, 1941, may be associated with the plunger actuating means to form a pocket in the apron as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, ad,-

jacent the rear side ofthe platform $5. Itwill beA |06, carried by arm |08.

assis/i2 understood that the application of suction to the latter may be dispensed with if desired. Member |00 is secured to the bracket 50, which is slidably mounted on a vertical post |02 supported in the cover 30, said bracket having a track |04 adapted to engage a, roller |06 carried by an arm |08 fastened on a shaft ||0 in bracket 38 when the charge transfer is at delivery position. On shaft l0 is also supported an arm l2 carrying one end of a link H4 connected to a cam actuated lever (not shown).

When arm |08 descends it causes bracket 50 to also move downwardly and in so doing the plate |00 will form a pocket in the apron 89. The arm 48 extending from bracket 50 has an open end slot 46 which slides over the portion 44 of rod 40 until it engages a bar H6 clamped thereon, there.- by causing the plunger 20 to expel the tobacco charge from the pocket on to the apron 80. As the plunger descends, the platform 06 is also lowered by a cam operated arm i8 to its dotted position, as shown in Fig. 1. The arm |08 is then operated to return the bracket 50 and plate |00 to its upper position. Arm 48 on bracket 50 thus compresses the spring l2 and lifts the plunger 24 to its upper position with its hub 94 against the hub 42. The tension spring |20 which is connected to the collar |22 no rod |02 and the stud |24 on plate |00 normally maintain the latter at an elevated position in engagement with the collar |22 on post |02.

The expelled charge onthe rolling apron 89 is now ready to be rolled into a cigar bunch by the action of rolling pin E26 which is suitably supported and actuated as shown in the above mentioned application of I-I. H. Wheeler, to swing the plate 86 which is pivoted on the ends of the rolling pin |26 over upon the charge deposited upon the apron where it remains during the forward movement of the rolling pin and is laterreturned to its initial position.

The transfer pocket, as it returns to its charge receiving position shown in full lines` in Fig. 1, moves the track |04 in bracket 50 off the roller The rollers 55 in approaching the cam pieces 58 engage the inclined surfaces 82 which gradually depress rod 40 and when rollers 56 ride on the cam surfaces 90 the rod 40 returns the plunger in charge-receiving position. The arm |08 dwells in this position until the pocket has received a charge and again advances the track |04 into engagement with the roller |06.

It is to be understood that the form of this invention, here shown and described, is to be takeny as a preferred'example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement ofl parts may be resorted to, without departing from the merit of this invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a cigar machine having a bunch rollingvv apron, thel combination with a charge transfer having a pocket provided with an opening through which a bunch charge may be inserted, of a plunger in said pocket, a. mernbe` for feeding a column of tobacco into. said charge transfer. pocket to compress the column of tobacco againstv said plunger, a knife for severing the portion of the compacted column in said pocket, and, mechanism for relieving the pressure of said plunger.

on the severed charge in said pocket when the charge transfer is moved to delivery position, a.- device for ejecting the charge from said pocket. at the deli-very position thereof", upon the bunch rolling apron, and instrumentalities for forming a loop in said apron at one side of the charge ejected thereon.

2. In a cigar machine having a bunch rolling apron, the combination with a charge transfer having a pocket provided with an opening through which a bunch charge may be inserted, of a plunger in said pocket, a member for feeding a column of laminated tobacco into said charge transfer pocket to compress the column of tobacco against said plunger, a knife for severing the portion of the compacted column in said pocket, mechanism for relieving the pressure of said plunger on the severed charge in said pocket when the charge transfer is moved to delivery position, and a device for actuating said plunger to eject the charge from the pocket at delivery position and deposit the charge upon said apron, and a device for forming a loop in said apron at one side of the charge deposited thereon.

3. A charge transfer having a pocket provided with an open bottom through which a bunch charge may be inserted, and a plunger mounted in said pocket, said transfer being movable horizontally from charge-receiving position to charge-delivery position, a stationary member extending along the path of said transfer from charge receiving position toward the charge delivery position and engaging said plunger for preventing upward movement of the plunger during insertion of a charge into said pocket whereby the inserted charge will be compacted, said member terminating at a point intermediate the charge-receiving and delivery positions of said transfer for relieving the pressure of the plunger on the inserted charge during the movement of said transfer from charge-receiving position to delivery position.

4. A charge transfer having a pocket provided with an open bottom through which a bunch charge may be inserted, and a plunger mounted in said pocket, said transfer being movable horizontally from charge-receiving position to charge-delivery position, means for preventing upward movement of the plunger during insertion of a charge into said pocket whereby the inserted charge will be compacted, and mechanism for relieving the pressure of the plunger on the inserted charge during the movement c-f said transfer from charge-receiving position to delivery position, said means including a member whose lower edge is arranged to engage the plunger and obstruct the upward movement thereof, said member extending along the path of said transfer from charge-receiving position to charge-delivery position and said lower edge being upwardly inclined beyond the charge-receiving position of the transfer, and said mechanism including a spring urging said plunger against the lower edge of said member whereby the pressure will be relieved on the charge as the plunger is carried along under the upwardly inclined portion of said lower edge as the transfer moves toward charge-delivery position.

5. A charge transfer having a pocket provided with an open bottom through which a bunch charge may be inserted, and a plunger mounted in said pocket, said transfer being movable horizontally from charge-receiving position to charge-delivery position, means for preventing upward movement of the plunger during insertion of a chargek into said pocket whereby the inserted charge will be compacted, and mechanism for relieving the pressure of the plunger on the inserted charge during the movement of said transfer from charge-receiving position to delivery position, said means including a member whose lower edge is arranged to engage the plunger and obstruct the upward movement thereof, said member extending along the path of said transfer from charge-receiving position to charge-delivery position and said lower edge being upwardly inclined beyond the charge-receiving position of the transfer, and said mechanism including a spring urging said plunger against the lower edge of said member whereby the pressure will be relieved on the charge as the plunger is carried along under the upwardly inclined portion of said lower edge as the transfer moves toward charge-delivery position, said member being adjustable vertically to vary the capacity of said pocket.

6. A bunch charge transfer having a pocket into which a cigar bunch charge may be inserted, a plunger mounted Within said pocket for compaction of the inserted charge, said transfer being movable from charge-receiving position to charge-delivery position and said plunger being movable with said charge transfer from the receiving position thereof to the delivery position thereof, a stationary member extending along the path of said transfer and arranged to engage and cover the open end of said pocket and conne the charge therein after the charge transfer leaves charge-receiving position and mechanism for relieving the pressure of the plunger on the inserted charge during movement of the transfer from charge-receiving to charge-delivery position.

'7. A bunch charge transfer having a pocket into which a cigar bunch charge may be inserted, a plunger mounted within said pocket for compaction of the inserted charge, said transfer being movable from charge-receiving position to charge-delivery position, and mechanism for relieving the pressure of the plunger on the inserted charge during movement of the transfer from charge-receiving to charge-delivery position, said mechanism including a spring urging said plunger inwardly within said pocket away from the outer end thereof, and a stop arranged to engage and limit the inward movement of said plunger at the charge-receiving position of said transfer, whereby movement of said transfer to delivery position will relieve the pressure of the plunger on the inserted charge.

8. In a cigar machine, the combination with a charge transfer having a pocket provided with an open bottom through which a bunch charge may be inserted, said charge transfer having a plunger movably mounted in said pocket, of a member for raising a vertical column of laminated tobacco into said charge transfer pocket whereby the column of tobacco will be compacted against said plunger, a knife for severing the portion of the compacted column in said pocket, said transfer being movable to delivery position with the severed charge in said pocket, and said plunger being movable with said transfer to said delivery position, mechanism for relieving the pressure of said plunger on the severed charge in said pocket during movement of the transfer to delivery position, and a device for actuating said plunger to eject the charge from said pocket at the delivery position of said transfer.

HJ ALMAR E. CARLSON. 

